Oral Answers to Questions

Stewart Malcolm McDonald Excerpts

Wednesday 29th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Chris Law (Dundee West) (SNP)]

3. What assessment he has made of the state of devolution in Scotland.

[Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Glasgow South) (SNP)]

13. What assessment he has made of the state of devolution in Scotland.

[The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr Alister Jack)]

With devolved powers, the Scottish Government can tailor policy in areas such as health, education and justice, as well as in tax and welfare through additional powers in the Scotland Act 2016. The UK Government are working with local government and local partners to deliver on their needs and wishes. That is real devolution in action.

[Mr Jack]

It is very straightforward. We understand that there will be environmental engagement overseas by the Scottish Government, and that is a devolved matter. What we have tried get a grip on is the Scottish Government travelling overseas, meeting Ministers, discussing reserved areas such as constitutional affairs and foreign affairs, and straying away from the portfolio of matters that are devolved to them. That is our position.

[Stewart Malcolm McDonald]

It is obvious that in order to cement a sense of economic resilience Scotland requires a population growth strategy, but the devolution settlement, unfit as it is, will not come anywhere near that, and the Government continue to set their face against it. Can the Secretary of State explain why?

[Mr Jack]

If the Scottish Government want more people to settle in Scotland—and immigration is at a record high—they need to build more housing, have lower taxes and better public services, and make Scotland more attractive to people.